Our San Antonio nursing home financial abuse attorneys understand that having a parent in a nursing home already comes with much anxiety. You worry about the various types of abuse that can occur, as well as medical errors and neglect due to increasing rates of understaffing. Perhaps your parent is lucky enough to escape these horrors, but there are others to be aware of. One of the most common forms of elder abuse, and maybe the easiest to hide, is financial exploitation of nursing home residents in Texas. Knowing the types and signs of nursing home financial abuse is crucial so that you can prevent your parent from losing valuable assets or getting kicked out of the nursing home for overdue bills.
A San Antonio nursing home financial abuse lawyer from Janicek Law can help hold the responsible parties accountable and recover damages for your elderly loved one’s suffering. Contact our legal team for a free consultation to learn more.
Common Types of Nursing Home Theft or Financial Exploitation in San Antonio, Texas
At the most basic level, a member of the nursing home staff may steal money or property from your parent. Less risky and harder to take legal action against is staff or outsiders becoming close to your parent and gaining their trust, so that your parent willingly offers them money, pays for their expenses, or includes them as a beneficiary in estate plans. Other types of nursing home financial abuse in San Antonio include committing fraud, such as investment schemes, and obtaining power of attorney over your parents’ financial affairs.
If you believe your loved one is a victim of financial exploitation, contact a San Antonio nursing home financial abuse attorney from our law firm.
Signs of Nursing Home Financial Abuse in San Antonio
The signs of financial abuse in nursing homes are not always apparent, as they do not leave physical evidence, as abuse and neglect do. Signs of financial abuse in nursing home settings include the following:
- A sudden change in a will or other legal document
- Forged signatures
- Nonpayment of nursing home bills
- New and suspicious friendships, especially with younger people of the opposite gender
- Expensive gifts to nursing home staff
- Missing assets or credit cards
- Inexplicable changes in financial choices or circumstances
Your parent may also show behavioral signs, such as anxiety, distrust, or secrecy. While you may suspect nursing home staff first, remember that family members are also likely to be involved. Make sure that a trusted person is in charge of and keeps track of your parent’s finances to prevent anyone from taking advantage of your loved one.
If you notice any signs of elder abuse in a nursing home in Bexar County, consult our San Antonio skilled nursing facility abuse lawyers.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Nursing Home Financial Abuse in Texas?
Multiple parties can be held liable for financial abuse in a nursing home under Texas law.
The nursing home itself may be held liable if it failed to supervise staff, ignored warning signs, or neglected to enforce safeguards. Individual employees, such as aides, nurses, or administrative staff, can face liability if they accessed accounts, forged documents, or manipulated a nursing home resident for financial control. Additionally, third parties, including visiting caregivers, financial agents, or family members of other residents, may also be held responsible if they took advantage of an elderly resident’s vulnerability.
In some Texas nursing home financial abuse cases, multiple defendants may be held accountable together to recover the full value of stolen assets and related losses.
How a San Antonio Nursing Home Financial Exploitation Lawyer Can Help Recover Stolen Assets
A San Antonio nursing home financial abuse attorney can investigate suspicious transactions, trace missing funds, and work to ensure that responsible parties are held accountable.
Janicek Law’s San Antonio injury lawyers can obtain financial records, interview witnesses, and work with forensic experts to uncover the full scope of the nursing home financial exploitation.
If multiple defendants are involved in the nursing home abuse case, our nursing home financial abuse lawyers in San Antonio can determine liability and file claims against each party to pursue the full amount owed. Legal action may include nursing home lawsuits for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, or negligence. In severe cases, our law firm can also refer evidence to the police. This will potentially trigger criminal charges while pursuing civil recovery for the financial abuse victim or their family members.
Financial Compensation for Victims of Financial Exploitation in Texas Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
Victims of financial abuse in Texas nursing homes and assisted living facilities may be entitled to recover stolen assets, lost income, and out-of-pocket expenses. Courts can also award additional non-economic damages for emotional distress, loss of financial control, and loss of access to basic needs.
In nursing home financial abuse cases involving intentional misconduct or gross negligence, punitive damages may be available to punish the wrongdoer and deter future abuse, subject to Texas damages caps. If multiple defendants are responsible, each may be required to pay their share of the total damages. A San Antonio nursing home financial abuse attorney will work to build a successful claim that can help restore financial stability and hold all liable parties accountable.
Statute of Limitations for Texas Nursing Home Financial Abuse Claims
In Texas, victims generally have two years from the date financial abuse is discovered or from when a reasonable person would have discovered it. This deadline can be extended if the facility concealed the misconduct or if the resident lacked mental capacity during the exploitation. A San Antonio nursing home financial abuse attorney can evaluate the relevant timeline, determine if any tolling rules apply, and act quickly to preserve evidence before the deadline passes. Fast legal action is essential to protect the victim’s rights and recover stolen assets.
Contact a San Antonio Nursing Home Financial Abuse Lawyer For a Free Consultation
If your loved one is a victim of financial abuse in a San Antonio nursing home, you need a skilled nursing home financial abuse lawyer in San Antonio to help you through the civil and potentially criminal process. Our San Antonio nursing home abuse lawyers will work tirelessly to hold the person responsible liable for the suffering they’ve caused your family.
Contact our nursing home financial exploitation attorneys in San Antonio for a free consultation.
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